Technically, we are still in late winter. In Chinese medicine, this is the time of the Kidney and Bladder systems, which govern deep reserves, rest, and restoration. But if you step outside, you can feel the shift already. The light lingers a little longer in the evening. There is more sound in the air. Something beneath the surface is beginning to stir.
In the Five Element system of Chinese medicine, early spring corresponds with the Wood element, which is associated with the Liver and Gallbladder. Wood energy is about growth, movement, planning, and vision. It is the energy of seeds sprouting and branches reaching toward the sun.
But there is an important nuance here.
Spring is movement.
It is not pressure.
If you try to force growth before the soil is ready, the sprout snaps. But when the conditions are right, growth happens naturally.
Many people begin to feel this seasonal transition in their bodies. In Chinese medicine, the Liver system governs the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body. When that flow becomes constrained or stagnant, we may experience symptoms such as:
• Irritability or frustration
• Tight neck and shoulders
• Sleep disturbance, especially waking between 1–3am
• PMS or menstrual irregularities
• A sense of urgency without clear direction
If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone. The shift from winter's stillness into spring's movement can feel a bit like trying to start a car that has been sitting in the cold.
The key is gentle movement.
Spring does not ask us to suddenly become intensely productive or to push ourselves into action. Instead, it invites us to slowly begin moving our Qi again.
Some simple ways to support Liver Qi during this transition include:
• Ten minutes of stretching in the morning
• Gentle twisting movements or yoga
• Walking outside in natural light
• Eating lightly steamed greens with a bit of lemon
• Acupressure on Liver 3 (on the top of the foot) or Gallbladder 20 (at the base of the skull)
These small practices help encourage the smooth circulation of Qi that the Liver system prefers.
One of my favorite ways to support this movement is Qigong.
Recently, I decided to enroll in Qigong teacher training at Zen Shiatsu in Chicago. I sensed that this year might carry a lot of energetic intensity, and Qigong is one of the best tools I know for grounding and regulating that energy.
Qigong is often described as a moving meditation. It combines gentle physical movement, breath, and focused attention to cultivate and circulate Qi in the body. The movements are slow, deliberate, and deeply calming to the nervous system.
If you are curious about exploring Qigong, there are several teachers I recommend.
In Chicago, Sue at Zen Shiatsu offers wonderful instruction and is currently leading the teacher training program. Online, Lee Holden, who is also an acupuncturist, offers accessible and beautifully structured Qigong classes that many people enjoy practicing at home.
And right here at Heartwood, Arlene Faulk teaches Tai Chi classes in the Skylight space. Her journey with Tai Chi has been inspiring, and her classes are a wonderful local resource.
At some point, I may begin teaching Qigong myself. But for now, I am very much enjoying the process of being a student again.
All of this feels especially relevant this year because we have also recently entered the Year of the Fire Horse, which began on February 17.
In Chinese astrology, Horse energy is dynamic, expressive, and fast-moving. Fire amplifies that energy even further. Fire Horse years tend to bring increased visibility, rapid developments, bold leadership, and sometimes dramatic shifts in the public sphere.
For those who remember 1966, the last Fire Horse year, it was certainly not a quiet time historically.
When the collective energy speeds up, the body often needs more grounding, not less. Practices like acupuncture, Qigong, Tai Chi, and meditation can help regulate the nervous system and keep us steady as things move around us.
We are also moving through an active astrological period. The recent lunar eclipse in Virgo carries the Sabian symbol: “A powerful statesman overcomes a state of political hysteria.”
Virgo energy asks for discernment, practical skill, and service. During emotionally charged times, it invites us to pause and ask:
Where can I be skillful instead of reactive?
What small action restores order in my life?
What is mine to do right now?
Ultimately, both Chinese medicine and astrology remind us of the same thing: we are part of a larger rhythm.
Spring does not bloom in a single day. It unfolds gradually.
If you are feeling tension, emotional intensity, sleep disruption, or hormonal changes during this seasonal shift, acupuncture can be a wonderful way to help your body move into spring with greater ease.
You do not need to push yourself into the new season.
Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply restore the flow.
Lisa Meyerson
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